A day off looking back to another day off...

In a last minute decision yesterday I decided to take today off. I had a very stressful week both professionally and personally and I just needed to sleep in and recharge my batteries. Perhaps you can call this a mental health day ;)
Two weeks ago I had the Monday off, instead of Canada day. You see working in finance means that you close the books and not take a day off even if it is a national holiday. Anyway, Amy and I traveled, got lost, and eventually found our way to Blue mountain for a overnight little get away.
We were a bit confused to walk around the Blue Mountain village wondering what people do at night there. Well I thought this is when you get your sweater, sit on the cool chairs and talk the night away. We are used to always search for entertainment and some kind of stimulus that not doing anything is a foreign concept.
My new promise to myself is to try to find the calm and peace in a Friday night in, just me, myself and the cat. Stop rushing and always pushing forward, looking constantly for more and wanting more. I will learn how to be thankful for all that I have, all that I have achieved and be at peace with myself.



Blue Mountain village in the Summer



The village and I



Step 1 taking a moment!

Summer is here....

well perhaps for just one day, but I took full advantage of the sunshine and headed for the Beaches in Toronto

I discovered the boardwalk and beach last year for the first time at the end of the summer and this year I will be there every weekend. Just a weekend beach bum ;)
I can't believe I didn't know how wonderful it is there all of these years.


I even enjoyed my first Ice Low Fat Light Ice Latte of the season ;)

I decided to go by the water and look for sea glass. Lately I have been looking at wornderful jewlery made out of sea glass and thought if I would be lucky enough to find a piece... well



I am going to wire wrap some of the bigger pieces and perhaps get my hands on a drill...
Anybody worked with sea glass before? Ideas...
I may put some in the shop as supplies...

PRINTSY Interview

PRINTSY interview
Originally uploaded by iva_o.

Hey there,

Check out my printsy.blogspot.com/ interview.
I think it turned out pretty awesome!

On a personal note I am battling a monster of a cold that does not want to go away. It has been over a week and I still feel really crappy
So yey for Printsy interview :(
and boo to the cold :(

Wish upon a star ....

Wish upon a star earrings
Originally uploaded by iva_o.

Just in time for the Holidays I have two new earring designs in the Shop!

My favourite right now are these Little Stars
and I have made a wish on my pair and hopefully it will come true and soon!

My Christmas tree is up, I wanted a small one but somehow I got one that reaches all the way to my ceiling and my carpet will forever hold its needles. Oh well the apartment officially smells like Christmas, now I only wish I had someone special to share it with... maybe next year.

Hi there,

Candy star pendant
Originally uploaded by iva_o.

How are you?

Life is changing for me in a flash, one minute I am moving the next I am not.
The good news is that I don't have to study for the rest of the month and really hope to do some block printing this week or even perhaps a bit of painting.
I had a dream that I sold a few paintings, I really wish I would find the energy to really work on my so called art career. The current corporate life is slowly making me loose sense of who I am.

For now I am working on new accessories because they are fun and quick to do.

Visit this cute pendant when you have a minute "Candy Star"

It is very gray here, I hope that were you are you have a bit of sunshine.

a small update...

Gentle Earrings
Originally uploaded by iva_o.

Nothing new to report really.
Just working like mad, studying like mad and trying to spend a few minutes on something creative or to go the gym.
I find that earrings are an easy way to do something different, ie not work with numbers. I have been putting them in the Shop

I hope to have some time to print in the upcoming future, but it probably won't be until after my test on April 5th.

My brother joined me at the Bead Oasis show downtown yesterday and that was interesting. I found that a lot of the supplies I can get online and mainly on Etsy are a lot cheaper than from the vendors there. I did spend a bit too much on lovely handmade glass beads that are just incredibly beautiful.


Gentle Earrings

I have 3 hats on....

I have 3 hats on
Originally uploaded by iva_o.

Last weekend was the worse snow storm in years and I was on the road.
I went to Ottawa to visit my little sister, about a 5 hour drive from me.
I was smart enough to take the Greyhound bus there and back. The snow storm that hit Saturday night/ all day Sunday was horrible, it took me only 10 hours to get back.

It was worth the trip since I haven't seen the little one, well she is 2 heads taller than I am, since Thanksgiving - the Canadian one in October.
Ottawa is COLD, in this pic I have 3 hats on. 3! I had to buy thermal leggigs while I was there and walking around. I don't think I will be going to Ottawa in the winter again.

Today starts a whole week off for me, I won't be back to work 'till Jan 2nd!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Expect a lot of art and almost daily blog updates!
Wow I will be chilaxin' at home, I can't wait!!!

Algonquin

"Algonquin" block WIP
Originally uploaded by iva_o.

I was bad this week and instead of studying I worked on art.
I sketched this block and just had to start carving it. It is larger than 8x10 inches and so far I have done some partial prints that you can see here
"Patience"
"Changes"

The inspiration behind is my trip to Algonquin at the end of August. Beautiful trees.
Last weekend I did buy some new papers that I have to cut up and play with. The hardest part of printmaking for me is cutting the paper. I am not a straight even lines kind of kid and I manage to get all kinds of funky pieces. But it has to be done.
This weekend the plan is to actually sleep and study and work on more art. I really would love to have a few 'portfolio' pieces both prints and paintings. I have to start contacting galleries. I really really have to.

"Fly with Me"

"Fly with me"
Originally uploaded by iva_o.

Revisiting an old piece. I originally finished this piece in 2005 but recently re- touched it to make it more reflective of my current work.
As one of my first mixed media pieces I wanted to keep it just for me but now I am sharing it. It can be found in my Etsy shop!
.

This weekend was very busy for me. On Friday I went out "Swing Dancing" and had a very shady adventure with Amy. Yesterday, my friend Ashley and I went to Ikea and to a really good restaurant called The Spaghetti factory downtown Toronto. I was a bit upset when instead of packing my leftovers they threw them out ;( but life goes on. Ash and I managed to get a bit of beer in use and put together my new storage unit. Our adventures were till 3:30am . I am bit sleepy
Today I cleaned more of the mess in my apartment and figured out funky ways to hide the boxes from my parents' house. I am really glad I have a creative way of looking at things and managed to hide boxes all over the place.
Now I am off to dinner at Paul's parents' house. hehehee dinner with the 'in- laws' while he is in Europe.

wow what a week, what a weekend...

Happy Holidays Cards
Originally uploaded by iva_o.

Finally a moment to sit and take a deep breath.
All week I studied for my first test in the Accelerated CMA program. It was horrible to study for an exam when you are a week behind in your lectures.
On top of this my parents' left for Europe for good and I didn't have a chance to say goodbye. In true fashion they had left too much for the last minute and were in a frenzy. The good news they managed to get there safe and even have my doggie with them. No problems at all.
We also have a new addition to the family. My parents' cat is now my kitty. Sleeping ever so cutely on my bed ;)
Today I drove Paul to the airport, as he is leaving for Europe for 3 weeks. He comes back Nov 11, and I leave for my 5 days in Florida on the 10th. This means I won't see him until November 14th.
I think that everyone leaving has not hit me yet and soon there will be a crash. Stay tuned. yakes.

I plan to spend the week working on new artwork. Actually I want to work on the portfolio not the shop. I also have to figure out where to put all the stuff that moved here from my parents' house. And really clean the apartment since Mr long hair kitty has already covered the carpet in hair.

Finally, I managed to design these lovely new Holiday cardsShop! . A wonderful Holiday set to sent out to the loved ones in your world.
Happy week everyone.

Printing...

Printing station
Originally uploaded by iva_o.

I have been really busy with work, packing up my parents' house over the Thanksgiving weekend and studying.
I managed to get some printing done this morning! and now I really really should be studying since my exam is next Saturday.

I am happy to say that I have booked my ticket to Florida! yey! I will be there for all of 4 days, but hey a vacation is a vacation even if it is very short.
Paul is going to Europe for a month, this leaves me all by myself. I wonder what kind of trouble I can get into...

Yey!

Magical Abstract tree print
Originally uploaded by iva_o.

I woke up this morning to find that all four block prints I had in my shop were purchased by one person, including this one. How wonderful is that!
It was a great sale and I turned around and bought 100 stiff 8x10 envelopes for prints. This way I can be sure that all prints arrive undamaged all around the world.
Today I spent catching up on my course and I am still very behind. I don't know how this sounded like such a good idea a month ago to enroll in this program. The fact that I my brain is fried after work does not help in the least bit.
Right now I am done for tonight and am cutting up paper for more prints. Yey!

for a smart girl... I do a lot of stupid things

I was really tired yesterday after work and shopping for work clothes. I can't ever find anything when I am looking for it.

I stopped over at the grocery store to pick up something. As I was slamming the door shut of my car I realized the radio is still on. Yep I locked my car from the outside while it was still running with the keys in the ignition.
I guess there is a first time for everything.
Paul came to my rescue since I was only five minutes from home.
My brain is fried officially

Busy Busy

Card Swap card sets for EtsyGreetings
Originally uploaded by iva_o.

I have a long list of things to do this weekend and it's not getting shorter.
I just finished, well I cheated and used some of the cards I already have, my little swap for Etsy Greetings. Checkout the link because my little photo cards are featured.

I also wanted to dye my hair black, to rebel you see, and did. Somehow I still have the same colour I started with. The dye didn't take.

I finished making the lip balm my sister ordered and packed the colab cards. I have to drop them off tomorrow at the Post Office.

I watched my first 5 hour lecture, I have to do the homework, watch the second one and do the second homework set.

I wanted to finish the Valentine swap prints. I have my little lino block ready to print. They are not due 'till February but I wanted to see them done, because they will be really cool looking.

I wanted to also print the new block I carved.
Ohh and the apartment is a mess and a half.
Paul wants to go apple picking so that we can bring the apples to his mom's for her to make pie.
The fridge is also empty.
aaaahhhh.

me, a jewelry designer?

Silver and yummy deep redish purple
Originally uploaded by iva_o.

mmmm my favorite colour combo!
I have been playing in the Shop! all week. I have new magnets and a new "Just for You"linoleum print to show.
And of course these lovely earrings, I made a pair for myself and just had to make another and share! They are 2.5 inches long and silver plated.
I am very happy to say that my adventure into eBay land was a success. My ACEO was bid on last minute and my 'Self Image'print has a bid as well!
I think I will add a few more items to eBay soon, but 1st I will wait for one of those fee promotions.
I am packing to go camping up in Algonquin park this weekend. THis is our first get away this whole summer.

hehehee a life update!

"Changes" WIP cont
Originally uploaded by iva_o.

Helloooo.
I actually managed to do some art work this weekend, not much but just a little.
News
1. Paul brought a new version of Photoshop and tried to install it on my computer while I was away. Well it was a downloaded version and it installed some kind of monster while photoshop did not work still.
I was very very mad since I do not download anything on my computer and am very careful as to what I click on. Needless to say I reconfigured my hard drive, it only took me 5 hours to get back to where I was. But photoshop now works! I still have to go to the back up disks I created to get some of my missing files. On the other hand I have a completely backed up computer.
2. I am refusing to upgrade MSN, and will use the prehistoric version the computer comes with. It was by trying to open MSN that I downloaded something on my computer a while back that started my photoshop problems. It was caught and killed by my Anti spyware program but still it messed up a few things. So everyone sorry no fancy shmancy msn applications from me.
3. I am really sad that this weekend was too cold for words. I refused to go in the pool even though it was warmer than outside. I am wearing long sleeve and sweat pants right now, not short and a Tee. Grr I don’t want the summer to end.
4. I am drinking a Gin and Tonic. There must be something addictive in the Tonic water because I really crave this drink. I don't buy alcohol for home, sometimes beer and wine, and I bought a small bottle of gin. Interesting.
5. Over the weekend I joined Indiepublic, which looks like a great site with lots of Etsy friends. Add me as a friend if you wish.
6. My favorite ACEOs expired on Etsy and I am thinking of giving Ebay another try. I also bought my first eBay item this weekend, special bags for cards that ended up being as much as if I bought them in the store, even if they cost .99 cents. Grrr
7. I am not sure where I am going with this list.
8. We played tennis on Saturday and went for a long hike on Sunday. I am loving outside activities this summer. Summer please don't go.
9. Pizza is beeping in the oven so I must go and eat it

"Changes" Work in Progress

"Changes" WIP
Originally uploaded by iva_o.

This is a new painting in the works. First time I really picked up a paint brush since I started work.
Originally this was a painting in my layered round abstract style but after I finished the painting, it felt very childish. I discovered that I am done with that style and now I have evolved to something different. About a month later I painted this over it, I am about to add a few papers to it and play some more.
Don't you think that "Changes" is a good name for a painting linking my past with my current?


ps My registration for the Certified Management Accounting Program was approved. Also at the end, 7 months from now, my company might be paying for the course. Sadly $2,500 just came out of my credit card and credit line. So much for being credit card debt free. Investment in my future right? right

The art show....

The art show
Originally uploaded by iva_o.

What a great day! Friday after a long day at work I managed to leave early. Soon after I got home we had to leave to get to Downtown in order to see the art show at AWOL Gallery
When we finally arrived there after battling traffic, we managed to find Free parking near the one and only The Paper Place!
Paul was not too happy to spend a long and I mean long time in there with me, considering it was already 7pm and we were hungry. I came out with a fat $20 scrap pack of papers.
We walked for a while to go to Prague Emporium where we were hoping to get dinner. Unfortunately when we got there they had just closed. We walked back, Paul huffing and puffing for not getting his Czech dinner.
We found the gallery and there was a huge and I mean Huge line up outside. This is a show of 1100 art pieces and over 500 artists, probably all there. Click on the link under the image to see more photos.
In hopes to get a shorter line up later on we decided to have dinner at a Thai restaurant, by which the line was passing. I had tried Pat Thai (sp?) the other week and wanted to have it again. Paul had a huge plate of sizzling meat. Yum.
The line was even longer when we were ready to go.
Once inside I quickly spotted one of my paintings and then Paul found the other. I was really excited to see what people come up with when the only restriction is size. Amazing work.
Yesterday was spent sleeping, applying for the Certified Management Accounting program, yes back to school for me, correspondence for 7 months and lounging by the pool.
Today we finally left for our hike to find that the rain had just started. Unfortunately 30 minutes into our drive Paul started to feel sick and we had to turn around. Now on this rainy day, I think I am going to start a mixed media piece that has been circling inside my head for a while.

Postcards and being a Pro

Flower Postcards
Originally uploaded by iva_o.

Ohhh on Sunday I gave myself a little present! I upgraded my Flickr to a PRo account!!!!!!!!!!!
I started to really miss the images that were hidden because I was over 200. I love flickr and I really love the community it creates around photos. So now I am a Pro!!!

After a few long weeks these lovelies arrived and are available in the shop. I have decided that this will be the last time I rely on old art for new work. From now on only new images and ideas.

Tomorrow night we are going downtown for my the shop unofficial art show , since I only have 2 paintings and there are a lot of other artists.

technology and not always your friend

My photoshop refuses to open. It just starts up and closes before fully opening. I have unintalled it and reinstalled it, even from 'safemode' and still not working.
My printer no longer turns on, thus no scanner for me.
;(